But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God: “Lord, why does your anger burn against your people you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?” (Exodus 32:11)
In Exodus 32, God was angered by the Israelites creating a golden calf to worship and forgetting that God had delivered them from Egypt. God said in verse 8 that he wanted to destroy the people for worshipping false gods. Then in verse 11, Moses decided to speak to God and bring up what God had done in the past in delivering the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.
Moses was bold, when he could have chosen to say nothing and have a fatalistic view of God, thinking “Well, whatever God will do, God will do.” Instead Moses pleaded with God and brought it back to what he believed God’s heart was and that was to preserve His people. For us today, as one pastor mentioned, “Moses’ prayer was not long, but it was strong.” So something for all of us to keep in mind, “It is not the length, but the strength of prayer that appeals to heaven.”
Moses also gave back the people (the Israelites) to God. Moses pleaded with God and called the people, “who you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?” Then Moses appealed to God on the basis of grace. Moses reminded God, “Lord, we didn’t deserve to be brought out of Egypt to begin with. You did it by your grace, not because we deserved it. Please don’t stop dealing with us by grace.” God is abundant in His grace and love to His children and even though we stumble, God remains gracious and when repentance comes from our heart with a genuine desire to change and come back to Jesus, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins (1 John 1: 9).
As you pray today, plead with God for His continued grace in your life, and don’t forget to praise and thank Him for what only He can do with His wonder-working power.